The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Rosemary on October 27, 2015, 07:36:13 pm

Title: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Rosemary on October 27, 2015, 07:36:13 pm

OK, after years of humming and hawing, I have asked the abattoir to keep four skins (no jokes please  ::) ), which I intend to have tanned at Sykeskyns

The abattoir is salting them - they are mainly a deer abattoir so salt all their deerskins for tanning. I have a blue barrel with a watertight seal. I have asked Skyesyns to do them an they have agreed.

I am filling out AB711 Licence Form - I think I will check it with Animal Health tomorrow before I send it off.

Cutting to the chase, I'll have to send the barrel by courier. Much as I'd love a trip to Skye it's not on the cards anytime soon. Anyone recommend a courier that they have used for this before?

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on October 27, 2015, 07:55:30 pm

I haven't used Skyeskins but for the skins I have had tanned I salted them at home until they were no longer wet and then they went off in plastic bags inside a box.

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Rosemary on October 27, 2015, 08:41:02 pm

Quote from: clydesdaleclopper on October 27, 2015, 07:55:30 pm

I haven't used Skyeskins but for the skins I have had tanned I salted them at home until they were no longer wet and then they went off in plastic bags inside a box.

Which courier did you use? Were they happy to take animal byproducts?

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Bionic on October 27, 2015, 09:23:54 pm

I used myhermes but said they were sheepskin rugs  :innocent:

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Anke on October 27, 2015, 09:31:48 pm

Quote from: Bionic on October 27, 2015, 09:23:54 pm

I used myhermes but said they were sheepskin rugs  :innocent:

Same here. We called them sheep fleeces. They have to be less than 10kgs per parcel (I think, but it is all on myhermes website), so we did them in two packs. Delivered within 2 days. Not expensive either.

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Rosemary on October 27, 2015, 09:48:30 pm

How did you wrap them?

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Bionic on October 28, 2015, 06:51:03 am

Wrapped in several layers of plastic bags and put that in a box and covered the box in plastic too.

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Anke on October 28, 2015, 08:02:06 am

Double wrapped in thick bin-liners. They were dry, so no issues with drips etc.

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Auld Cairnallochy on October 28, 2015, 08:56:08 am

I believe if you send your sheep to Munros in Dingwal for slaughter and processing they can send you skins to Skyeskyns direct.

Title: Re: Getting skins tanned
Post by: Rosemary on October 28, 2015, 09:11:22 am

Quote from: Auld Cairnallochy on October 28, 2015, 08:56:08 am

I believe if you send your sheep to Munros in Dingwal for slaughter and processing they can send you skins to Skyeskyns direct.

Canny hike from Carnoustie though, when Cupar abattoir is 28 miles away  ;D